My Mute Bride

Not long after Victor left, Rachel heard the doorbell ring.

Originally thinking he left something behind, she opened the door, only to see a courier.

“Ms. Rachel Hudson?”

Upon hearing that, Rachel nodded.

“There are two intracity express parcels for you. Please sign here.”

Startled, she signed for the parcels, thereafter receiving a cake and a paper bag.

Right now on the table, there was still half an uneaten cake that Victor had rushed out to buy at noon upon finding out it was her birthday.

So, who bought the cake that the courier delivered?

Setting it aside on the table for now, she pulled a rectangular suede box out of the paper bag.

With a click, she opened it and discovered a silver-colored necklace in the box that glimmered underneath the light

The pendant was in the simple design of a small sun with a hollow center.

Putting down the box, she found a card on top of the cake box that simply read ‘Happy Birthday’ without any signature.

Dumbfounded, she stared at the items until her phone started vibrating.

It was a text message from Julian reading, ‘Did you receive what I sent?’

Immediately, she understood. ‘I did. I was wondering who would remember my birthday.’

‘Don’t forget that you’re a patient of mine. It’s not strange that I would remember your birthday.’

‘Thank you.

‘You’re welcome. Are you free? I just finished work; come down for a walk with me!

Looking at the time, she agreed, ‘Okay.’

At this hour after dinner, the community was lively. All of the houses were lit up, and the sound of children laughing could be heard around the neighborhood as they ran around playing.

could even offer some to anyone, a group of children was surrounding her and staring eagerly at the cake with

cake is so

‘wait’ motion with her hand, she lifted a knife and a paper plate, preparing to cut into the cake for the

side. “Today is Miss Rachel’s birthday. Before she treats you all

head of the group, which happened to be a little girl in pigtails, immediately said, “Wish Miss Rachel a Happy

the ‘Happy Birthday’

close her eyes and make a

blow out the

indicate to Julian that there

he still lit the candles and had the children sing ‘Happy Birthday’ in unison. The delicate

“Make a wish.”

There’s no need.

say it in your heart and not out

a little girl who wasn’t even at

a wish. After that, she blew out

thank you!”

paper plates, the children raced off, dabbing icing on each other’s faces. Just like that, the strangers in the community suddenly seemed

Rachel finally smiled for the first time in

most important thing right now is to take care of your body and your mood. You

I might as well pretend it never existed for now. At that point, Rachel’s

child, he changed the topic and told her, “Go on upstairs, then. It’s

she turned and headed

apartment and about to close

propped open by

head up, Rachel saw Justin glowering at her, his darkened face made all the more grotesque by the centipede-like

on business?

sideways into the house and shut the door

been getting along

took two steps back. Why are

he stalked toward her as he pulled off

suppose you wouldn’t want me to

step he approached her, forcing

Rachel had no idea

and pulled, she staggered after him and was